Method of panel connection and connectors therefor

ABSTRACT

Eye loops are formed in the edges of panels to be joined and overlap one another when the panels are placed in position. An expandable sleeve is inserted through the overlapping loops and a wedge pin is driven into the sleeve thus expanding the sleeve and drawing the panels into the exact position relative to one another. The joint is then grouted to seal the junction between the panels.

I United States Patent 1191 1111 3,832,817

Martens Sept. 3, 1974 METHOD OF PANEL CONNECTION AND 2,373,409 4/1945 Myer 52/227 CONNECTORS THEREFOR FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS lnvemori Martens, Winnipeg 744,717 2/1956 Great Britain 52/227 Manitoba, Canada 208,511 5 1955 Australia 52/585 613,647 121960 1 l .1 52 585 [73] Assgneei g Corporauo Mamtoba 167,005 4i1959 S v ve den 52i583 Cana a 19,746 4 1915 France 52/583 [22] Filed: May 26, 1972 l Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland [21] Appl' 257l0l Assistant ExaminerJames L. Ridgill, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or FirmStanley G. Ade [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July 6, 1971 Canada 117412 57 ABSTRACT 52 us. c1 52/583, 52/259 52/432 Eye are fermed the edges ef Perlels be 51 1111.01. E04b 1/38, E046 5/16 ieined and everlaP one another when the Panels are [58] Field of Search 0 52/259 432 583 587 placed in position. An expandable sleeve is inserted 52,584, 585 578 249/]94, 219 through the overlapping loops and a wedge pin is driven into the sleeve thus expanding the sleeve and [56] References Cited drawing the panels into the exact position relative to UNITED STATES PATENTS one another. The joint is then grouted to seal the junction between the panels. 1,045,519 11/1912 Conzelman 52/432 2,229,779 1/1941 Thomas 52/583 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Pmmwsr 3832.817

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,SIEEI ear 2' METHOD OF PANEL CONNECTION AND CONNECTORS THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

With the advent of preformed or prefabricated panels for buildings, difficulty has been encountered in joining adjacent panels together either at right angles or in alignment to one another.

Various methods are utilized such as bolting the panels together or having extending reinforcing steel which overlaps one another and are then welded together.

All of the conventional methods include disadvantages such as the fact that skilled labour is required for welding, accurate positioning is extremely difficult, and bolting methods are time consuming and awkward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

It is the purpose of the present invention to overcome disadvantages inherent in conventional joints by providing a method of joining which can be installed by unskilled labour and yet which at the same time ensures an extremely accurate tight junction between adjacent panels.

The principal object and essence of the invention is therefore to provide a method and structure for joining adjacent panels together without the necessity of welding, bolting or other conventional means.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the eye loops forming part of the junction are placed in position during the preforming of the panel under factory conditions.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which although designed primarily for use with precast concrete panels, nevertheless can readily be adapted for use with any other type of preformed panel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin dexcribed which is adapted for use in joining adjacent panels at right angles to one another, for joining panels in alignment with one another and lying in the same plane, and for joining panels to columns or other structural members.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which can be used for joining any form of building panels whether they be for walls, roofs or floors.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which can be used for joining any prefabricated section to another prefabricated section.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described in which the eye loops can be connected to the steel wire mesh or other reinforcing material normally used in the prefabrication of concrete panels and the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character herewithin described which is simple in construction, economical in manufacture, and otherwise well suited to the purpose for which it is designed. With the considerations and inventive objects herein set forth in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the intion, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying Figures in which:

DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view showing two concrete panels joined at right angles to one another and two concrete panels joined in alignment or in the same plane with one another.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the corner junction.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the expandable sleeve.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the wedge pin.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of one edge of a panel showing the eye loops extending therefrom.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of one form of wall panel with a floor or ceiling panel engaged therewith and having one of the eye loops illustrated.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

PRELIMINARY DESCRIPTION:

A panel 10 is provided with at least one eye loop 11 extending from the edge 12 thereof and lying in a plane normal to the plane of the face sides 13 and 14 of the panel.

A corresponding eye loop 1 1A extends from the edge 12A of a panel 10A to be joined and this eye loop also lies in a plane normal to the plane of the face sides 13A and 14A of the panellOA. The two loops l1 and 11A lie in slightly different planes so that they overlap one another when the two panels are placed in the joining position.

An expandable sleeve 15 is then engaged through the eye loops and a wedge pin 16 is driven into the expandable sleeve thus drawing the eye loops and hence the panels into the exact joining relationship one with the other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

In the accompanying specification and drawings, preformed concrete panels have been illustrated and de' scribed in connection with the method and structure for joining panels together.

However, it is to be understood that the term panel when used in this context refers to any structural member of any shape or size which is prefabricated and which is to be joined to a further structural member. As examples, the structural members may be wall panels, ceiling panels, floor panels, panels and columns, roof structures and the like.

The junction collectively designated 17 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, isa right angled corner junction and the junction collectively designated 18 and shown in FIG.

ventive concept which is comprised, embodied, em-

braced, or included in the method, process, construc- The eye loop consists of a length of steel or other material including a first leg 19 which runs parallel to the face side 14 and inwardly therefrom. This leg 19 then angulates at 20 and extends beyond the edge 12 to be bent around in a curve to form an eye loop 21. The eye loop then continues in the form of a second leg 22 which once again is embedded within the concrete forming the panel. If desired, thisleg 22 may be angulated transversely as shown in phantom by reference character 23 thus giving additional strength to the embedding of the eye loop. If desired also, the legs 19 and 23 may be connected as by welding to the internal reinforcing members 24 within the panel.

Although only one eye loop 11, 11A is shown, neverthless it will be understood that a plurality of vertically situated eye loops may be provided as shown in FIG. 5.

As hereinbefore mentioned, the eye loops 1 1, 11A lie in a plane normal to the plane of the face sides 13 and 14 and extend outwardly from the edges 12 and 12A. In this connection an arcuately curved recess 25 is formed vertically within the edges 12 and 12A thus giving clearance for the eye loops '11 and 11A. The eye loop 11 lines in a plane slightly different from theplane of the eye loop 11A so that when thepanels are engaged in the joining relationship illustrated, the eye loops 11 and 11A overlap one another as clearly shown.

When positioned as shown, the panels are slightly apart from one another and a sleeve is then inserted through the eye loops 11 and 11A from the uppermost eye loop and extending through all of the eye loops. This sleeve is shown in detail in FIG. 3 and is cylindrical in configuration having a plurality of longitudinal extending slots 26 formed through the wall thereof and terminating spaced from one end 27 as clearly shown in FIG. 3.

Once this sleeve is in position, a wedge member 16 is then driven into the sleeve and FIG. 4 shows details of this wedge member which consists of a-cylindrical pin having a tapered or pointed end 28 to facilitate entrance within the sleeve 15.

The outside diameter of pin 16 is larger than the inside diameter of the sleeve 15 so that when the pin is driven into the sleeve, a wedging action is created which pulls the panels together thus closing the gap between the edges 12 and 12A as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This accurates locates the panels one with the other and firmly locks them together.

The recess 25 may then be filled with grout which surrounds the eye loops, and the sleeve 15 and completely seals the junction 17 between adjacent panels.

The junction 18 is similar with the exception that the edges 12B and 12C are at right angles to the face sides 13A and 14A.

The eye loops 11B and 11C are formed in a manner similar to hereinbefore described with the exception that legs A and 22A are similar in length, shape and agulation.

' The junction is assembled as hereinbefore described 4 with the sleeve 15 being inserted through the overlapping eye loops 11B and 11C whereupon pin 16 is driven into position thus drawing up the edges 12B and 12C tightly together.

FIG. 6 shows a specific form of wall panel in which an inner ledge 29 is provided upon which a precast ceiling panel 30 may rest. When the adjacent panels 10 and 10A (not illustrated) are joined, the panels are pulled against the ceiling angles 30 thus holding them into position. 1

Similar forms of junction may be used between any preformed structural members as hereinbefore de scribed.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept which is herein disclosed and- /or claimed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forth should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled as justice dictates.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In combination, preformed panels and a connector therefor, comprising, a plurality of eye loops formed in the edge of a first panel tobe joined and extending outwardly therefrom, said eye loops lying normal to the face sides of said panel, a corresponding plurality of eye loops formed in the edge of the next panel to be joined to said first panel and extending outwardly therefrom and also lying normal to the face sides of said panel, each said eye loop including a first leg embedded in said panel and extending outwardly from the edge thereof, the outer end of the first leg being curved to form the outer end of the loop and a second leg which is also embedded into the said edge of the panel, the

loop thus being U-shaped with the legs spaced apart from each other as they enter the panel edge, said eye loops in said first panel lying in a different plane to said eye loops in said next panel so that said loops are in overlapping relationship when said panels are positioned for joining, and a wedge assembly engageable through said loops, said wedge assembly includingan expandable hollow cylindrical sleeve capable of retaining its cylindrical configuration upon expansion of the cross-section thereof, engaging through all of said eye loops, and a wedge member in the form of a cylindrical pin having a narrow front end to facilitate entry into the end of the hollow sleeve, the diameter of the pin behind the narrow front end being of a uniform cylindrical diameter greater than the inside diameter of the expandable hollow sleeve prior to expansion thereof, such that the pin, when inserted into and driven through the sleeve, expands the sleeve along its length urging the corresponding pairs of loops together, also urging panel I edges together.

2. The connector according to claim 1 in which said expandable sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending slit fonned through the wall of said cylindrical member. 

1. In combination, preformed panels and a connector therefor, comprising, a plurality of eye loops formed in the edge of a first panel to be joined and extending outwardly therefrom, said eye loops lying normal to the face sides of said panel, a corresponding plurality of eye loops formed in the edge of the next panel to be joined to said first panel and extending outwardly therefrom and also lying normal to the face sides of said panel, each said eye loop including a first leg embedded in said panel and extending outwardly from the edge thereof, the outer end of the first leg being curved to form the outer end of the loop and A second leg which is also embedded into the said edge of the panel, the loop thus being U-shaped with the legs spaced apart from each other as they enter the panel edge, said eye loops in said first panel lying in a different plane to said eye loops in said next panel so that said loops are in overlapping relationship when said panels are positioned for joining, and a wedge assembly engageable through said loops, said wedge assembly including an expandable hollow cylindrical sleeve capable of retaining its cylindrical configuration upon expansion of the cross-section thereof, engaging through all of said eye loops, and a wedge member in the form of a cylindrical pin having a narrow front end to facilitate entry into the end of the hollow sleeve, the diameter of the pin behind the narrow front end being of a uniform cylindrical diameter greater than the inside diameter of the expandable hollow sleeve prior to expansion thereof, such that the pin, when inserted into and driven through the sleeve, expands the sleeve along its length urging the corresponding pairs of loops together, also urging panel edges together.
 2. The connector according to claim 1 in which said expandable sleeve includes at least one longitudinally extending slit formed through the wall of said cylindrical member. 